Living Space

As Christmas approaches, my house is becoming piled high with stuff. Cushions aim for the roof topped with fabric, ready to be covered. The jigsaw and nearly-done wooden blocks/box occupy a corner of the dressing table. Books and magazines and inspirational bits teeter on every available surface. Parts of 3 computers are scattered here and there. Donations from the moving-out neighbours overflow the top of the fridge and balance in cupboards. Everything is out of dog-pee reach (just in case), so the only thing free is the floor. Even that, though, is dodgy - the carpets ragged and old and in need of complete replacing.

And it's starting to affect me.

It's strange how clutter around the house makes me on edge. I get irritable, irritated, snap easily. Yup, I'm still seeking serenity - and uncleared table tops aren't conducive to it.

Serene spaces (in my head) are clear of junk, clean and visible. Light streams in unobstructed, there's a golden glow over comfortable furnishings, natural surfaces are free to reflect the sunshine or house gorgeous tactile goodies. (Yup, been at my UK Country Living magazines again - major wish-books! :) ) Not piled high with assortments of stuff, gathering dust or requiring removal simply to sit down.

I've been daydreaming about that jigsaw of mine again, wondering what I can make and fit into our tiny space that will create more of a peaceful environment. A couple of full-wall bookshelves would help (with the odd drawer or two) - or one of those room-divider type shelves on casters, moveable to screen off whatever destruction the kid has wrought on his part of the room that day. I've been eyeing the old, stained couches and wondering if my credit card will stretch to cover 12 yards of upholstery fabric on sale for slipcovers. I've looked at the garage and thought I may just be able to squeeze in a few more things - or maybe phone someone to simply come take it all away (free!). I've plotted enclosing the back 1 metre-wide porch, to give a place to either put the freezer or the computer and its table. Anything for a bit more space.

And I've kinda decided that we'll make a move off-campus to a bigger place at the end of next year. With my son's high school 20 minutes drive from here, I've been looking at rentals in that area - and they're not that bad, provided I can earn more than I am right now. My brother might have one of his usual inevitable contacts who has a house or knows someone who has a house. Relatives come in handy a lot! :) I just need to grit the teeth and stick it out for a bit longer, trying to create the calm and space and light and serenity my soul craves every single day, with what I already have.

Over the holiday week-or-so coming up, I'm going to start chucking out stuff, re-organizing, clearing, and maybe just getting a bit of sawdust in my hair as I attempt my Next Big Thing in the woodworking world. It's not only because I want to - for sanity's sake I have to.

::update::
Here's an appropriate quote, courtesy of Google's home page:

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.
- George Bernard Shaw